The seven of us were all having a good time at Lindsey's house in celebration. She seemed to have forgotten all about her family skipping out and seemed to be enjoying herself. As for me, I was having the best time ever. I had my best friend, my boyfriend, and four of my other closest friends here with me.
Liam and Harry were working the grill, cooking hotdogs and hamburgers for everyone. Louis and Zayn were helping Lindsey put drinks in the cooler while Niall and I were inside getting all the condiments, like ketchup, mustard, relish, and other things like that. We also happened to find some fries in the freezer, so we put them in the microwave to heat them up.
Once Liam and Harry were done cooking, we all sat around the table outside in the back. I sat between Niall and Lindsey as we all talked and laughed together. As I sat, I thought about how it probably couldn't get any better than this. In all honesty, I didn't think I was wrong. But it had been because this got better.
"Sorry I'm late, stupid flight got delayed."
I gasped and spun around to see Hanna standing there with her bags. Lindsey and I screamed as we stood up and ran to her excitedly. The three of us pulled each other into a group hug as we rambled on, barely listening to what the other was saying.
"What are you doing here?" Lindsey asked still in shock once we pulled away.
"I wanted to come for graduation, and I would've been there if my flight hadn't been delayed." Hanna repeated.
"I'm just so happy you're here and you made it." I said as I hugged her again. "I missed you."
"I missed you guys, too." Hanna said.
"Even us?" Louis piped up from the table.
"I saw you all like three days ago." She chuckled.
"So you have been looking out for our girl?" Lindsey asked.
"Of course we have. We told you we would." Liam replied.
"Thanks guys." I said.
"Um hello? You're talking about me as if I'm not here." Hanna said and we laughed.
"Come on, you're probably hungry from the flight. Harry and Liam used the grill to make some food." I said as we walked back over to the table.
All of us continued on with talking, Hanna joining in. As I listened to all my friends and my boyfriend having a great time, I realized I didn't need my parents to have a family of my own. This was my family. And I loved them with all my heart.
"What are you thinking about, babe?" Niall asked as he nudged my knee with his.
"My family." I answered truthfully, but I should've known he wouldn't understand.
"Cammie, I know you miss them, but-"
"Not my parents." I shook my head as he looked at me a bit confused. "You guys. The seven of you are my family."
I swear I've never seen Niall smile brighter. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in closer to him while kissing more forehead. Lindsey looked over at me smiling and I knew she heard what I had said.
"You know, I always thought of you and Hanna as my sisters. You two have been there for me more than Kate has."
"Agreed. I don't have a sister, only a brother, but I definitely consider you two my sisters." Hanna said.
"Awh, we're getting sentimental." Louis cooed.
"Cut it out, Lou." Niall joked.
"I was just saying how I didn't need my parents, as long as you all were here." I said.
"Awh." Louis said, actually meaning it this time. "We all love you Cammie."
Harry, Liam, and Zayn nodded in agreement as I teared up a bit.
"I love you all, too." I said.
Everyone smiled before getting up and beginning to clear the table and head inside. It was getting dark out and I assumed they were probably headed inside for a movie. I started to stand and follow them, but Niall grabbed my arm, keeping me seated on the bench next to him. Once everyone has gone inside, he turned and looked me in the eye. For a few moments, we were silent before Niall said the words I'd been waiting for him to say.
"I love you."
My eyes widened at his confession and my mouth parted with a gasp. But I didn't hesitate to say it back.
"I love you, too."
He smiled again before putting his hands on either side of my face and leaning in to kiss me. Our lips pressed together in a passionate kiss. I placed my hands on his chest and gripped his shirt, bringing him closer to me. As the kiss became more heated, he moved his hands down to grip my waist and lifted me to straddle him. I bit his lip, pulling back a bit, causing him to let out a moan. His tongue slid across my lips and I happily let him in. Our tongues danced together as we pressed together so close, there was no room left to even slid a piece of paper through.
Eventually though, we had to pull apart for air. Both of our chests rising and falling quickly from panting. I leaned my forehead against his with my eyes still closed, enjoying this moment with Niall.
"We should probably head inside, yeah?" Niall asked after a few minutes. "Any moment now, one of them will be coming out here to drag us in.
I laughed before agreeing. But I didn't go without one last peck on the lips. We stood and made our way inside hand in hand, probably smiling like idiots. As soon as we walked into the living room, we started to get teased.
"Look at the lovebirds." Harry said.
"They totally just made out." Louis smirked.
"They definitely did. They're lips are all swollen and red." Lindsey pointed out, making Niall and I cover our lips in embarrassment as they all laughed.
"Shut it, all of you." Niall said with a little laugh, not able to be serious.
Everyone laughed before returning their gazes to the television. Niall sat down in the corner of the sofa and pulled me to sit on his lap. I smiled down at him when he looked up at me.
"They're totally in love." Hanna said to the others.
"Right you are." Niall said, not breaking his eye contact with me.
"Did I miss something?" Lindsey asked.
"Looks like we all did." Zayn commented.
Niall kissed my nose before looking back at the television. I stared at him a short while longer before doing the same. My mind just couldn't seem to grasp the fact that he was my boyfriend. That Niall was actually mine and that he loved me. I can't remember the last time someone told me they loved me, or if it's ever been said to me. Either way, I felt special. I felt special and so damn lucky to be the girl his arms. It almost didn't seem real.
Throughout the whole time we were watching television, Niall would press a kiss to my skin at random times. It was either my forehead, my temple, my cheek, my nose, or my neck. Each kiss made the spot on my skin feel warm and I would smile at him over my shoulder.
Eventually, everyone had fallen asleep, even Niall. I was the last one awake. I couldn't seem to fall asleep for whatever reason. It may have been that I was still hyped up from graduating. Or it may have been that I was still so happy to have all my friends together and here with me again. Or maybe, just maybe, it was Niall's words repeating over and over again in my head.
I love you.
Those three words were enough to make my heart beat faster. To make my breathing hitch. To make everything feel like it's going to be okay.
"Cammie?" Niall whispered, starting to wake.
"It's fine, Niall. Go back to sleep." I whispered from where I lay on top of him.
"Is something wrong?" He asked concerned.
"No, Niall. Everything is perfect."
